HUMANE.

The NYSVMS has has been committed to ensuring the humane treatment of all animals throughout New York State for 125 years, and writes that “Opponents of horse-drawn carriages are also misinformed about the conditions in the carriage industry, frequently claiming that the horses are forced to live and work under inhumane conditions. A careful examination of the lives of these animals reveals the opposite. These horses, many of which are rescue animals themselves, live and work under the careful scrutiny of the veterinary profession, which follows stringent standards designed to ensure the animal’s welfare is of paramount importance.”

Carriage horses are humanely retired after working in New York City. Retiring carriage horses are highly sought after as family horses. The carriage industry partners with Blue Star Equiculture, a draft horse sanctuary in Massachusetts to provide a retirement program for adoption. You can learn more about Blue Star at www.equiculture.org.

REGULATED.

The NYC carriage industry is subject to some of the most extensive regulations concerning horses in the country. Carriage horses are overseen by 5 city agencies.

Carriage horses cannot work when it is too hot or too cold. (Above 89 degrees or below 19 degrees.)

Carriage horses cannot work more than 9 hours per day.

Carriage horses must get at least 5 weeks vacation every year.

Carriage horses must live in box stalls large enough to turn around and lie down comfortably.

Carriage horses and their stables are inspected regularly by the NYPD Mounted Unit, the Department of Health and the Department of Consumer Affairs.

SAFE.

Carriage rides are among the safest of all equestrian activities. The general public can enjoy interacting with horses without having to sign a waiver. Carriages are fully licensed and insured, and such insurance can be had for less than the cost of insuring a private car in NYC. The risk to horses and humans is extremely low. You are more likely to have a tree fall on you in Central Park than a passenger or horse is to be injured.

In fact, Charles Komanoff of Streetsblog.org has reviewed the data and concluded that horse-drawn carriages are the safest vehicles in midtown Manhattan.

HEALTHY.

Carriage horses live long, healthy lives. Every equine vet who has examined the NYC carriage horses has remarked on their good health.

Carriage horses are well-fed and watered. At the stable they get all the good quality hay they can eat. At work they get quality horse feed and carrots. They always have water at the stable, and while at work there are two water troughs that operate year round. Carriage horses can be watered at any time.

Carriage horses are sound. Walking on asphalt actually makes their job easier. A 2008 study by Cornell veterinarian Dr. James Lowe found virtually no lameness in NYC carriage horses.

Carriage horses are not stressed by the city. A 2014 study by Dr. Joe Bertone of Western University of cortisol levels in NYC carriage horses concluded that carriage horses have exceedingly low levels of cortisol while working in the city, and that they appear to be more stressed while on vacationing on the farm.

Dr. Stephen O’Grady from Virginia made an independent visit to the carriage stables in 2013 and concluded that the stables were very clean, with spacious stalls. He also remarked that carriage horses receive excellent farrier (hoof) care.

Every equine vet who has visited the stables or the hackline has remarked on the lack of respiratory issues in NYC carriage horses.

POLITICAL.

The controversy over the carriage horses is ideological and political. It has nothing to do with the actual well-being of the horses.

Some people are opposed to carriage horses because they support “animal rights.” They believe that humans have no right to own or work with animals, including dogs or cats, and that humans should not eat meat. Animal rights activists believe in “total animal liberation” and seek an end to domesticated animals. This is a radical ideology or opinion not based on facts.

“Animal rights” is very different from “animal welfare.” People who support animal welfare believe that human beings have a responsibility to take good care of animals and treat them well. People who support animal welfare believe that human experience is improved by living and working with animals. The carriage industry believes very strongly in animal welfare for our horses and for all animals.

Anti-carriage groups, like NYCLASS, have intervened in our political process in NYC, using millions to help elect Bill de Blasio mayor in 2013. De Blasio had promised to ban carriages his first day in office. He and NYCLASS are now under investigation by the US Attorney for NYCLASS’s donations to him.

The four carriage stables in Hell’s Kitchen sit on very valuable real estate, much of which has been rezoned in recent years for high-rise luxury condos. The carriage horses are in the way of real estate development.

BELOVED.

Repeated scientific polls conducted by Quinnipiac University of New York City voters have shown that New Yorkers overwhelmingly oppose banning carriage horses and want their iconic horses to stay.

The NYC carriage industry is endorsed by the New York Times, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, the Amsterdam News, the Wall Street Journal, AM New York, and many more local media outlets who have investigated the industry.

The carriage horses are supported by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The carriage horses are a NYC icon, having appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows.

Carriage horses have been working in Central Park since 1858, which is 41 mayors… and counting! They’re not going anywhere, and will continue to delight visitors and New Yorkers alike for generations to come. Carriage on!

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Animal rights supporters who approached my carriage horse: Please don’t pet my horse. No, I’ve never seen him bite someone and I did just let someone else pet him, but I heard what you said to him. Imagine walking up to someone’s baby carriage and whispering inside, “I’m so sorry that these are your parents. If I could, I would make sure you lived somewhere else. I’m working on figuring out a way to make sure you never see your family or home again.” Imagine walking up to someone’s dog on a leash and whispering, “I feel so bad for you. I would love to set you free and make sure you’re never with your owner again.” Now if you can see what’s wrong with those scenarios, you should be able to understand why I don’t want you speaking to my horse that way. My horse is proud of his job and he doesn’t want to be pitied. My horse doesn’t want to be anywhere else and enjoys the company of his driver. We work together in partnership nearly every day, earning each other’s trust, and developing something you will never understand. You don’t deserve to enjoy his company when you want to tear apart the bond I share with him. If my horse understood what you were saying, he wouldn’t want you to belittle animal abuse by calling the fulfilling life he lives one of cruelty. “Animal abuse/cruelty” has an actual definition, and it isn’t something you get to hold an opinion about. My horse is loved, well-fed, well-groomed, fit, healthy, comfortable, and at ease with his surroundings. At his stable he has all the hay he can eat and water he can drink, in a large protective stall lined with straw bedding where he can get his REM sleep lying down. He has pastures which he will return to for vacationing, equine veterinarian exams and farrier appointments scheduled, and people who care about him. He works under an extensive set of regulations, with far more benefits than the average human New Yorker has at their job. My horse doesn’t need the empty promises you offer him, he’s already got it made as NYC carriage horse.

Celebrities enjoy horse drawn carriage rides in NYC too!8/15/17: "DJ Khaled goes on carriage ride with wife and Asahd. The happy family were seen having a quiet night in, taking in the beautiful New York sights as they strolled past Central Park on their carriage. Asahd looked excited, so it must have been a good time. After their ride was over, Khaled got off the carriage and held Asahd while meeting fans. They took pictures and spoke a bit, too. The DJ has been killing it on the charts recently with hits like “I’m The One” and “Wild Thoughts.” He’s got big names collaborating with him like Justin Bieber and Rihanna."

To the people who have been shouting “Free the horse!” at my horse and I when we drive by with his carriage lately: If he were “free” where would he be “free”? Who would trim his hooves when they grow out every month or so? Who would paint his hooves with hoof oil a few times a week to help them from becoming brittle and chipping? Who would groom his coat, mane, and tail each day to keep it the way it shines now? Who would give him his oats each day and take them away so he doesn’t get overweight eating them all, or colic from eating too much of them too fast? Who would make sure he had grass or hay every day, even throughout the winter when there’s snow on the ground? Who would make sure he got enough water through drought and winters when it freezes? Who would put a blanket on him in freezing temperatures or rain? Who would apply fly spray to him each day in the summer to keep the flies from biting and irritating him? Who would float (file) his teeth as they grew? Who would he nuzzle if he no longer had any people around him? Who would explain to him that the person he sees as his is never coming back? Who would care for the horses around him who kept him company and made sure they didn't hurt each other? Who would give him easy work to do to in a routine to keep him mentally stimulated? Who would teach him what he doesn’t need to fear and reassure him about the surroundings he finds himself unsure in? Who would be there to see him walk proud right by what used to unnerve him? Who would make sure he got enough exercise each day to keep him fit? Who would call the equine veterinarian if he fell ill or became injured? Who would give him vaccines to prevent disease every few months to a year? Who would apply ointments, clean any infections he may develop, and give him medicines when ill? Who would offer him shelter from harsh elements? Who would protect him from predators? Who would protect him from being rounded up by the BLM like the “wild” mustangs? Who would make sure he didn’t wind up at an auction with a kill buyer? If you imagined a person other than one he is earning a living for doing these things for him, where did you expect that person to get the money, time, and dedication?

Did you just have a death sentence out for my horse or after you pictured him frolicking in a non-existent magical world, did you not think at all after that? You had guts to show your ignorance about horses to a horse person, but you also showed your lack of compassion –for animals and those who care for them. This is why I shouted back that you needed to learn a lot more about horses before commenting on them. This is why I told you I’d recently returned from a safari drive where I saw how animals in the “wild” truly live and they are not “happier.” There was the antelope who didn’t know her life would end when faced with a leopard that night. There was the lion that rested during the day, exhausted and starving after a night where she failed to catch anything on her hunt. There was the zebra that continued to graze, bloody and wounded after surviving a predator’s attack. If you wouldn’t sentence your beloved house cat or pet dog to that fate, don’t threaten it upon my domesticated horse. He and his breed wouldn’t exist without this purpose humans have given him.

"A horse drawn carriage passes through Central Park in New York city on Jan. 22, 2016. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced a plan that would reduce the number of horses drawn carriages in the city and centralize the horses in Central Park, but the plan was met with resistance from a number of different interest groups on both sides of the issue and was abandoned.

E-mails recently released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) appear to show a "pay to play" culture at New York City Hall.

Among those who had Mayor Bill DeBlasio's personal e-mail address were donors from an anti-carriage horse organization who were apparently not pleased that having spent large sums to help get DeBlasio elected, were not getting their money's worth. DeBlasio's replies to their e-mails often included references to having top aides look into their inquiries.

Wendy Neu is the chairman and chief executive officer of the Hugo Neu Corporation, a "privately held company with deep experience in investing, building and managing businesses in recycling, real estate and related industries," according to its website. Steve Nislick has served as Hugo Neu's chief financial officer since 2014. He retired as CEO of Edison Properties in 2012. Nislick is the founder of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, Safe Streets (NYCLASS), a 501(c) 4 organization whose goal was to ban the New York City carriage horses and, originally, replace them with replica antique cars. Neu is a co-founder and serves on NYCLASS' board of directors. NYCLASS contributed heavily to DeBlasio's 2013 mayoral campaign, and DeBlasio vowed to ban the carriage horses on "day one" of his administration, Jan. 1, 2014.

On June 1, 2015, DeBlasio wrote to Neu, stating "Also want to make sure you start using my City Hall e-mail (cc'ed here) for all e-mails re: government topics from now on. Thanks."

On June 3, 2015, Neu wrote: "Mayor, I can appreciate how busy you both are and apologize for bothering you. However, we need to understand where we are in order to kick off our campaign. If something has changed we need to know immediately so we can respond to the press appropriately. Both Steve and I are in the office and can be reached anytime. Thank you, Wendy."

During the summer of 2015, NYCLASS was advocating for an anti-carriage horse bill to go to the City Council, but DeBlasio knew support in the council was not there.

Nislick sent an email with the subject line "carriage horses" to DeBlasio on June 24, 2015 at 7:27 a.m., stating, "Mayor, We have not heard from anyone in the administration?" Later that day, Neu writes: "Mayor, We have not heard from anyone. Wendy" At 6:26 p.m., Neu e-mails DeBlasio: "Steve and I just got off the phone with Marco. We are shocked that nothing has been done. We have no idea what to do next. Why?? Wendy. "Marco" apparently refers to Marco Carrion, the commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Community Affairs.

An e-mail to DeBlasio from Nislick at 6:40 p.m. states: "Mayor, we just got off the phone with Marco who said they have not been to get [sic] any additional votes and he does not know if it is going to happen I don't get it!! To tell this now after we just spent 500k is totally ridiculous and puts us in an impossible situation. We are very very upset!! Steve."

Nislick and Neu sent other messages to DeBlasio requesting a face to face meeting. However, in November, 2015, DeBlasio admitted the City Council votes were not there and stopped pursuing the carriage horse ban.

Neu and Nislick did not stop pursuing their goal. A Feb. 11, 2016 email to DeBlasio from Nislick states, "Dear Mayor, Wendy and I would greatly appreciate having a private meeting with just you. We will meet at your convenience wherever is best for you. It is very important for both of us to see you and in particular, for Wendy to hear from you what you see as the next steps. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks so much for helping the horses!! We both greatly appreciate it. Steve"

New York City carriage industry spokesperson Christina Hansen said, "These e-mails reveal that NYCLASS's Steve Nislick and Wendy Neu believed that their political donations and spending entitled them to exclusive access to the Mayor. Further, they indicate that NYCLASS's spending was intended as a 'quid pro quo' - they expected carriage ban legislation to be passed because they desired it. We always suspected this, but to see it in black and white on the page is shocking. It's outrageous that anti-horse millionaires had access to the Mayor's personal e-mail and cell phone contact, while working folks in the carriage industry could never even get the Mayor to visit a stable. Even though NYCLASS ultimately did not get what they paid for, the mere fact that they viewed political donations as buying a carriage ban should disqualify them from any further involvement in this issue."

July 28 2017: "After many years of uncertainty and threats over the future of their business, those who make a living through the Central Park horse and carriage industry can finally breathe a sigh of relief, as the main “animal rights” lobby group which vowed to put the trade out of existence has admitted that it is unable to do so.The heavily Irish horse and carriage trade, one of the most beloved tourist attractions in Manhattan with a rich history going back to the late 1800s, had been under a misguided but effective assault since before the last mayoral election four years ago, with then candidate Bill de Blasio leading the charge.The anti-horse carriage group NYCLASS, with money up the wazoo thanks to its backers in the real estate industry, was largely responsible for torpedoing the candidacy of former mayoral front runner Christine Quinn, who was an ardent supporter of keeping the horses as part of New York City’s landscape.NYCLASS, adamant that the highly regulated horse industry was abusing the animals – a preposterous notion – hitched its wagon to de Blasio, funding his campaign and extracting promises that on Day One, should he be elected, the industry and all of its employees would be put out to pasture.And they tried…boy did they try. There were a couple of major efforts undertaken by the de Blasio administration and NYCLASS to rid Central Park of the horses, one of which sought to replace the animals with electric-powered cars. Another failed initiative which was thankfully shot down as it neared approval – a highly embarrassing political defeat for de Blasio -- would have drastically reduced the fleet of horses and relocated their stables to a city-owned building in Central Park. NYCLASS and de Blasio had the money, but the horse and carriage industry had currency even more important: public opinion. Poll after poll indicated that New Yorkers by and large have no objections to the horses operating as usual in and around Central Park. Having A list supporters such as Liam Neeson also greatly helped the under siege industry get its message out there.It’s been obvious for a while that de Blasio has moved on from anything to do with the word horse – he says he still supports eliminating the horse and carriage trade, but that it’s up to supporters to persuasively lobby members of the City Council – and now, thankfully, NYCLASS has raised a white flag.In an interview with the New York Daily News last week, the group’s backers admitted that the horses are in New York to stay.“We achieved nothing, except perhaps created some bad will which we have to address, so obviously our strategy had to change,” said Wendy Neu, one of the group’s main backers.NYCLASS will now seek other tweaks in the industry, such as confining the horse rides solely to Central Park, and having them use bike lanes as they travel to and from their stables on the far West Side of the city. NYCLASS also says it will no longer object to those stables -- some of which are Irish-owned -- which is good to know because many developers have eyed the coveted land for other uses.So all in all, a great result for the horse and carriage industry which refused to sit idly by while a bunch of elitists took aim. The drivers and support staff can be extremely proud of the way they stood up and defended themselves.It’s doubtful that the mayor will revisit the issue in his nearly certain second term, which would be begin on January 1. Who knows, maybe he’ll even pop down to one of the stables for the first time ever and see for himself how beautifully the horses are cared for, and how ridiculous his crusade was in the first place."Article: www.irishcentral.com/news/irishvoice/nyc-horse-carriage-showed-strength-as-elite-took-aim

July 28 2017: ""NYClass, the animal welfare organization dedicated to stopping carriage horses in New York, has thrown in the towel and given up their plans to stop carriage horses. The organization realized that it does not have the political, or social, power to outlaw the horses.“We achieved nothing, except perhaps created some bad will which we have to address, so obviously our strategy had to change,” said Wendy Neu, of NYClass. Neu, and her partner Steve Nislick, both admit they will no longer be seeking to outlaw carriage horses on New York City streets, but will continue workings towards making it safer for the horses."Article: newsofthehorse.com/2017/nyclass-gives-up-fight-against-carriage-horses/... See MoreSee Less